Switzerland plays a crucial role in international politics across many areas. We uncover the complexities of Swiss politics globally and provide fresh perspectives on international developments.
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The value of headlines
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With the US-Iran talks at Bürgenstock, Switzerland once again made headlines around the world.
Google’s business dealings with Israel: Swiss servers raise sensitive questions
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Google provides Israel with cloud services that are co-developed in Switzerland and may also be used for military purposes.
Staying in neutral? How Swiss and Irish debates compare
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Defence shifts in Europe have put pressure on old policies in Ireland and Switzerland – and sparked heated resistance to any change.
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The documentary “En Terrain Neutre” (Neutral Ground) puts the spotlight on Swiss neutrality in a comic road movie that comes as voters weigh enshrining the principle in the Constitution.
Why Switzerland stopped short of formally sanctioning Ukraine
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Swiss neutrality is often misunderstood. An analysis shows how Switzerland’s response to the war against Ukraine divides the Swiss and puzzles outsiders.
War in outer space is coming: Why Switzerland should play a role
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The risk of military escalation in space is growing. Switzerland should take a stance on this issue, writes Clémence Piorier.
As Middle East conflict rages, Swiss tradition of uniting adversaries is changing
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Switzerland’s military neutrality has long enabled it to facilitate communication between adversaries and help settle their disputes. But this traditional role is being tested as international relations grow increasingly turbulent.
Swiss firms exported dual-use goods to Israel during Gaza conflict
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Between 2024 and 2025, several dozen Swiss companies continued to sell goods with potential military use to Israel despite intensified UN criticism of its offensive in Gaza.
Swiss neutrality: government faces difficult decision over Mideast conflict
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If the conflict involving Iran drags on, Switzerland may have to apply its law of neutrality. This could restrict military overflights and arms exports to the United States.
Why Switzerland is struggling with its national defence
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Switzerland’s neighbours increasingly see the country as a potential weak link in European security. But at home defence is hardly a priority on the political agenda.
Why Swiss China scholars can’t build the China expertise they need
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Increasingly stringent controls on overseas research into China have made it difficult for many scholars including those in Switzerland, to conduct research on China.
Swiss public backs development aid even as politicians cut budgets
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Most people support funding for development cooperation or would even like to see it increased, write Dina Pomeranz and Deborah Kistler.
War and drought push Lebanon agriculture to breaking point
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War, economic collapse and declining rainfall are pushing Lebanon’s agricultural sector to the brink. Even water projects backed by Switzerland are struggling to cope.
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Development banks are becoming increasingly important in light of cuts to foreign aid by Western countries such as the US and Switzerland. But what do they achieve for the Global South?
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In Afghanistan, women and girls in particular are paying the price for failed policies. The Afghan Fund in Geneva should finally act to recapitalise the Central Bank, writes Norah Niland.
Why Switzerland joined Trump-friendly FIFA to fund mini pitches in Palestine
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Switzerland and FIFA are building mini pitches for children in Palestine, despite continued violence and humanitarians struggling to meet people’s basic needs.
Millions of dollars linked to Magnitsky fraud case leave Switzerland
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A Russian citizen who held funds in Switzerland linked to a global tax fraud case wired at least CHF6 million from his UBS accounts. Our investigation shows a recent court ruling could have led to the confiscation of some of those funds.
Women harvest hope as extremist threat grows in Benin
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As terrorism spreads across the Sahel, women in northern Benin are turning to the shea tree to build economic resilience – with support from Switzerland.
As aid stalls in Haiti, can attack drones and soldiers end gang violence?
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A ‘forgotten crisis’ that draws little aid money from donors like Switzerland, Haiti is holding its breath as a new international military mission prepares to deploy.
Why UNRWA, a lifeline for Palestinians, is struggling for survival in Lebanon
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The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, is facing an existential crisis. A visit to the Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut shows how a political tug-of-war is playing out in the lives of the affected population.
Swiss NGO urges Bern to raise its climate ambition as US walks away from accords
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Delia Berner from Alliance Sud says Washington’s exit from climate treaties deals a “bitter blow” to climate justice and makes Switzerland’s climate‑finance delays “irresponsible”.
More sustainable global trade is possible and Switzerland has a role to play, says report
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Switzerland, a major hub for commodities trading, could use its position to influence this sector and steer it towards greater sustainability.
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Authorities have uncovered a scandal involving accounting irregularities worth $159 billion (CHF127 billion). A gold refinery in Ticino and a holding company in Lucerne are at the centre of the case.
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As global trade rules fray, countries are scrambling to shore up export markets and diversify partners. For Switzerland, this could come with an added complication: the ballot box.
How a project in Peru supports sustainable cocoa – and serves Swiss interests
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Switzerland supports farmers in Peru so they can produce in a more social and green way – and so chocolate producers have access to cocoa.
Global trade under strain: why rules still matter for nations like Switzerland
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Former chief economist of the WTO, Ralph Ossa, explains why economies such as Switzerland need to defend and adapt the rules-based system.
Stadler Rail wins billion-franc night train order from Kazakhstan
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Stadler Rail is building almost 600 carriages for night trains in Kazakhstan, which is increasingly attractive for Swiss companies.
US trade deal forces reckoning for Swiss pharma powerhouse
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Swiss pharma made massive investment promises to the US that are fueling anxiety about the industry’s future in Switzerland.
Why Swiss China scholars can’t build the China expertise they need
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Increasingly stringent controls on overseas research into China have made it difficult for many scholars including those in Switzerland, to conduct research on China.
What kind of democracy should Switzerland promote?
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Switzerland’s distinctive understanding of democracy should not guide its work promoting democracy abroad, argues political scientist Daniel Bochsler.
Can Switzerland latch on to EU plans for migrant deporation centres?
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The Swiss government welcomed the EU’s decision to set up deportation centres in third countries. Joint pilot projects with like-minded countries are conceivable.
Africa’s heritage in Switzerland: what should the mandate of museums be?
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Restitution can play a central role in relations with African partners, says Samuel Bachmann, curator of the African collections at the Bern Historical Museum.
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Development banks are becoming increasingly important in light of cuts to foreign aid by Western countries such as the US and Switzerland. But what do they achieve for the Global South?
How Switzerland got caught in the Magnitsky case – again
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Switzerland’s controversial handling of the Magnitsky Affair, a vast Russian money-laundering scheme, is back in focus. Here a video overview:
War in outer space is coming: Why Switzerland should play a role
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The risk of military escalation in space is growing. Switzerland should take a stance on this issue, writes Clémence Piorier.
Millions of dollars linked to Magnitsky fraud case leave Switzerland
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A Russian citizen who held funds in Switzerland linked to a global tax fraud case wired at least CHF6 million from his UBS accounts. Our investigation shows a recent court ruling could have led to the confiscation of some of those funds.
The dramatic freezing of Ferdinand Marcos’s assets in Switzerland
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Forty years ago Switzerland froze the assets of toppled Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos – a turning point regarding assets of politically exposed people.
Google’s business dealings with Israel: Swiss servers raise sensitive questions
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Google provides Israel with cloud services that are co-developed in Switzerland and may also be used for military purposes.
Why Swiss China scholars can’t build the China expertise they need
This content was published on
Increasingly stringent controls on overseas research into China have made it difficult for many scholars including those in Switzerland, to conduct research on China.
What kind of democracy should Switzerland promote?
This content was published on
Switzerland’s distinctive understanding of democracy should not guide its work promoting democracy abroad, argues political scientist Daniel Bochsler.
Swiss public backs development aid even as politicians cut budgets
This content was published on
Most people support funding for development cooperation or would even like to see it increased, write Dina Pomeranz and Deborah Kistler.
More sustainable global trade is possible and Switzerland has a role to play, says report
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Switzerland, a major hub for commodities trading, could use its position to influence this sector and steer it towards greater sustainability.
Russia targets record numbers of exiles, with Swiss group latest to be proscribed
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The numbers targeted by the Kremlin have soared every year since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and are already on track to achieve record levels this year.
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Authorities have uncovered a scandal involving accounting irregularities worth $159 billion (CHF127 billion). A gold refinery in Ticino and a holding company in Lucerne are at the centre of the case.
Can Switzerland latch on to EU plans for migrant deporation centres?
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The Swiss government welcomed the EU’s decision to set up deportation centres in third countries. Joint pilot projects with like-minded countries are conceivable.
Explainer: Are Swiss banks still home to dirty money, or have they cleaned house?
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Owning a Swiss bank account still evokes thoughts in many countries of dodgy dealings and hidden wealth. Is the reputation deserved?
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Two journalists cut ties with Big Tech to test digital independence. Discover the challenges and insights from their real-life experiment.
Smart cities and surveillance: why democracies must not lose control
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The dominance of private companies in urban technology makes surveillance possible even in democratic systems like Switzerland, warns digital surveillance expert Jasmin Dall’Agnola.
Staying in neutral? How Swiss and Irish debates compare
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Defence shifts in Europe have put pressure on old policies in Ireland and Switzerland – and sparked heated resistance to any change.
This content was published on
The documentary “En Terrain Neutre” (Neutral Ground) puts the spotlight on Swiss neutrality in a comic road movie that comes as voters weigh enshrining the principle in the Constitution.
Africa’s heritage in Switzerland: what should the mandate of museums be?
This content was published on
Restitution can play a central role in relations with African partners, says Samuel Bachmann, curator of the African collections at the Bern Historical Museum.
War and drought push Lebanon agriculture to breaking point
This content was published on
War, economic collapse and declining rainfall are pushing Lebanon’s agricultural sector to the brink. Even water projects backed by Switzerland are struggling to cope.
Why Switzerland stopped short of formally sanctioning Ukraine
This content was published on
Swiss neutrality is often misunderstood. An analysis shows how Switzerland’s response to the war against Ukraine divides the Swiss and puzzles outsiders.
This content was published on
Helvetistan is an informal name that refers to a group of countries whose voice Switzerland represents at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), two of the world’s main multilateral financial institutions.
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Development banks are becoming increasingly important in light of cuts to foreign aid by Western countries such as the US and Switzerland. But what do they achieve for the Global South?
How can governments balance safety and the right to protest at the G7?
The G7 summit to be held next June in France is causing security headaches for neighbouring Switzerland. Should authorities ban protests in Geneva and close the border with France?
How Switzerland got caught in the Magnitsky case – again
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Switzerland’s controversial handling of the Magnitsky Affair, a vast Russian money-laundering scheme, is back in focus. Here a video overview:
This content was published on
In Afghanistan, women and girls in particular are paying the price for failed policies. The Afghan Fund in Geneva should finally act to recapitalise the Central Bank, writes Norah Niland.
War in outer space is coming: Why Switzerland should play a role
This content was published on
The risk of military escalation in space is growing. Switzerland should take a stance on this issue, writes Clémence Piorier.
Does Switzerland monitor its honorary consuls adequately?
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Honorary consuls represent Switzerland and are deeply embedded in local networks. But this also means they can face potential conflicts of interest.
Why Switzerland joined Trump-friendly FIFA to fund mini pitches in Palestine
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Switzerland and FIFA are building mini pitches for children in Palestine, despite continued violence and humanitarians struggling to meet people’s basic needs.
Millions of dollars linked to Magnitsky fraud case leave Switzerland
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A Russian citizen who held funds in Switzerland linked to a global tax fraud case wired at least CHF6 million from his UBS accounts. Our investigation shows a recent court ruling could have led to the confiscation of some of those funds.
